NCAA DI WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Fresno State (19-13) at Stanford (26-3)
Dec. 1. 2023 • 7 p.m. PT • Maples Pavilion • Stanford, Calif.
Watch: ESPN Plus
Live Stats: NCAA.com
Twitter (X): @FresnoStateVB
STANFORD, Calif. – The Fresno State volleyball team is facing its greatest challenge of the season thus far as they are set to face No. 1 seeded Stanford in the first round of the NCAA DI Women's Volleyball Championship on Friday at 7 p.m. PT.
The first and second rounds of the tournament are being held at Maples Arena on the Stanford campus and all matches will be streamed on ESPN Plus.
STARTED FROM THE (VERY) BOTTOM
Fresno State was selected to finish dead last in the Mountain West Preseason Coaches' Poll… and it wasn't even close.
The Bulldogs received only 15 votes, placing them at 13 points below second to last pick.
Fresno State flipped the script, went 10-8 in conference play, earned a spot in the Mountain West Championship tournament… and won.
This was Fresno State's first time winning a Mountain West title since joining the conference in 2012.
With the win in the championship, Fresno State earned an automatic bid into the NCAA DI Women's Volleyball Championship tournament for the first time since 2002.
IT HAS TO BE SOMEONE…
Head coach Leisa Rosen has taken a team that was 1-17 in conference play in the previous season and transformed them into a team with the opportunity to claim a championship title.
She has done this not only with coaching, but by shifting the team's mindset with one phrase: "Why not us?"
The phrase has become an integral part of the Fresno State Volleyball brand and has motivated and carried the team to winning the Mountain West Championship.
IT'S BEEN A COOL MINUTE
Fresno State is making its first appearance in the NCAA DI Women's Volleyball Championship tournament since 2002, 21 years ago.
A total of 10 athletes on the Bulldogs' squad were not even born yet the last time Fresno State participated in the tournament.